Prologis: Move to LoDo Fosters Communication

BUILDING DIALOGUE: End User

When warehouse powerhouse Prologis, the world’s leader in logistics real estate, decided to relocate their operational headquarters from the outskirts of Denver to a historic and artsy micro district in Denver’s urban core, they put a stake in the ground, thereby initiating a paradigm shift that would re-energize their workforce and re-establish their Denver operations.

Michelle Liebling, NCIDQ, IIDA, LEED AP
Design Principal, Gensler

Building on the momentum generated from the significant change in location, Prologis decided to rethink everything about their workplace. They wanted a space that would break down silos and bring people together, be casual and contextual to Denver while representative of their global footprint, celebrate who they are and what they do, and ultimately a space that leaves a lasting impression of “global, world class and cool.”

The Dairy Block, once home to the prominent 1800s era Windsor Dairy, has been transformed into a multiuse development with office, regionally exclusive retail and curated hospitality spaces. As the anchor tenant, Prologis is at the epicenter of what’s new and trending in Denver. This relocation of almost 300 people adds to the energy of the neighborhood and pushes forward the transformation of this historic downtown area.

Prologis workspaces are filled with natural light.

To understand how to create a space that would deliver, the Gensler design team reframed the design process and engaged with Prologis through a series of focus groups, interviews, workflow analysis, benchmarking, utilization studies and surveys to collect qualitative and quantitative data that would come together to establish an informed and transformational workplace strategy. The design concept focuses on a 100 percent open plan that fosters connectivity and serendipitous interactions of teams. With large floor plates, upwards of 36,000 square feet, all employees are together on two floors. The workspaces are filled with natural light and an open ceiling creates a sense of volume and openness. A variety of individual, collaborative and communal spaces are layered into the planning strategy to create and define neighborhoods while giving people choice of where and when to work. 

A monumental stair anchors the space and provides a direct connection to a coffee bar and a variety of formal and casual spaces on the floor above.

Central to the plan and adjacent to the main reception is a large gathering space that can be transformed for all-hands meetings, presentations, special event, and casual collaborative work. A monumental stair anchors the space and provides a direct connection to a coffee bar and a variety of formal and casual spaces on the floor above.

A minimal palette boldly reimagines materials and elements from Prologis’ own warehouses resulting in a sophisticated and functional design that connects to their core business, Logistics Real Estate. A dramatic elevator lobby clad in blackened steel wall panels opens into the light-filled reception area with wood beam ceilings and a two-story corrugated metal accent wall. Freight doors are reimagined as the entry to a sophisticated conference room and custom environmental graphics and branding provide another layer of storytelling throughout.

“The move was made in part to encourage employees to have more communication not only with one another, but with the community they serve,” said Wayne Barrett, vice president and market officer, Prologis. “It was important to the leaders of our company that we create an atmosphere that fosters communication. Being in an area like LoDo is more conducive to an enhanced relationship with the city, and it’s a way for us to keep employees happy and engaged.”

“The decision to relocate our operations headquarters was significant,” Edward Nekritz, Prologis chief legal officer and general counsel, said in a statement. “It was important for us to put our stamp on a new building and office environment that reflects our culture.”

Published in the December 2018 issue of Building Dialogue.